While North Korea has always been a threat, recently its continual testing of intercontinental ballistic missiles have tested the world's patience and on Saturday, the United Nations put its foot down.

The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously to impose sanctions against North Korea for its missile tests and other violations of multiple U.N. resolutions.

NPR reported that the measure aims to target the country's finances and cuts about one billion dollars worth of North Korean exports, which equals about a third of the country's export revenue.

Countries are banned from buying iron, seafood, iron ore, lead, lead ore and coal from North Korea and other countries are also barred from creating “joint ventures” with North Korean businesses and people.

The Washington Examiner noted that U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley praised the council's decision to match “its words and actions” and called it a “gut punch” to North Korea.

In the wake of the vote, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who called the sanctions a “good outcome” had a message of his own to the world.

While in the Philippines for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting, Tillerson paid a visit to the American Cemetery and Memorial in the capital city, Manila.

According to its website, the American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila contains a total of 17,191 headstones for members of the United States military who were lost in World War II. Its size makes it the largest number of graves of any American World War II cemetery.

In addition to its graves, the memorial features the “Tablets of the Missing,” which contain 36,286 names, with tick marks denoting any service members who had been recovered and identified.

CBS News reported that during his early Sunday morning visit, Tillerson left a note in the guestbook, comprised of one simple, yet poignant message. “Let us never forget - FREEDOM,” the secretary of state wrote.

The graves and names listed in the Manila memorial and cemetery are a reminder of what Americans will sacrifice to protect their country and freedom from ruthless, cruel dictators. Given the increased threat the brutal North Korean regime presents to America, Tillerson's message couldn't have been more fitting.